Protective Headgear

ABSTRACT

A headgear of soft pliable materials to protect the wearer&#39;s head from injury, featuring hidden impact-protection and appearing like a normal garment for the head, have openings for gathered hair such as pony-tails, highly-visible/reflective outer material, anti-bacterial/anti-fungal materials, optional thermal insulation and rain-proof materials, calibrated tensioned elastic material for maintaining the precise tension required to ensure the hat remains on the wearer&#39;s head during a trip or fall. An alternative embodiment of the invention also features impact absorbing protrusions or a network of interconnected gas, liquid or gel filled cells to prevent angular acceleration/deceleration due to impact. The impact protection provided is designed to suit the bio-mechanical requirements of the various ages of the wearer.

The invention, which claims the benefits of Provisional Application filed Nov. 20, 2012 (Application No. 61/796,833), and relates to protective headgear, bandannas and head covering apparel to protect the wearer from brain injury with impact-absorbing materials and specific 3D shapes.

BACKGROUND

Over 1.7 million brain injuries occur every year in the US to people of all ages, engaged in everyday activities. Many of these incidents and are not necessarily high-impact incidents due to sports but merely due to ordinary trips, falls and walking into objects. Indeed, some serious and debilitating injuries are due to repeated, low-impact insults to the brain. Often, these injuries occur to the brain without any damage (fracture) to the skull which protects it. In seeking to solve this problem, the inventors looked for a way to protect the brain, the damage to which is typically far more debilitating, and for far longer a period of time, than that from injuries to the skull. Manufacturers seek to provide a brain-injury protection headgear, which could be comfortable, lightweight, which preferably will not cause overheating in the wearer which can lead to perspiration and subsequent development of unpleasant odors or allergic reactions due to growth of mold and bacteria.

Protective headgear usually has multiple layers and usually includes materials with high thermal insulation properties. In such cases, the greater the protective qualities of the headgear the higher the thermal load on the user. Even with ventilation outlets for cooling, the impact protection materials can nevertheless cause protective hats to be too hot for the wearer, leading to unnecessary discomfort and perspiration and a medical condition such as heat stroke in some rare cases. Perspiration resulting from high thermal loads can lead to proliferation/formation of either mold and/or bacteria which can cause unpleasant odors perhaps leading to skin irritation or other allergic reactions.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,923 to Picotte describes a protective hat with either open or closed cell foams or other polymer impact absorbing materials, sometimes in multiple layers and in thicknesses of up to 4″, hidden in the hat. The greater the impact absorption properties of the hat the more the hat will cause overheating and perspiration which will lead to formation of either mold and/or bacteria. Picotte provides no anti-bacterial or anti-fungal properties agent applied to or embedded in the hat materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the protective hat of the wearer's right hand side.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the protective hat in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a median vertical cross-section of the protective hat from the wearer's right hand side.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-section view of the protective hat as in FIG. 2 with optional opening for pony-tails, pigtails or plaits.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hat seen from the rear of the wearer.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the protective hat in an alternative embodiment where part or all of the crown portion of the protective hat contains an impact absorbing material.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the protective hat.

FIG. 8 is an inside view of the crown portion of the protective hat looking at the part facing the wearer.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the hat.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the protective hat in accordance with one embodiment showing protrusions designed at reducing post-impact angular acceleration.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the protective hat in accordance with one embodiment showing protrusions designed to reduce post-impact angular acceleration.

FIG. 12. is a rear view of the protective hat in accordance with one embodiment showing a network of gas filled cells designed to reduce post-impact angular acceleration.

FIG. 13. is a side view of the protective hat in accordance with one embodiment of the invention showing a network of gas filled cells designed to reduce post-impact angular acceleration.

FIG. 14. is a side view of the protective hat showing a chin strap with a “V shape” connection to the outer layer of the said protective hat.

FIG. 15. Is a top-down view of the impact absorbing materials in accordance with one embodiment showing a series of ridges and channels facing away from the user's head to reduce post-impact angular acceleration, while narrower channels allow for greater ventilation and user comfort.

FIG. 16. Is a side view of a hard-shell helmet with impact absorbing materials on the outside designed to reduce angular acceleration in accordance with one alternative application.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   20. Flexible outer material -   22. Flexible inner material -   24. impact absorbing layer -   26. Optional sleeve for elastic material attachment strap -   28. Optional elastic material attachment strap with hook and loop     tape fasteners or snaps -   30. Hook and loop tape ends on elastic attachment material -   32. Attachment tension calibration guides -   34. Opening in flexible outer material 20 allowing wearer access to     elastic attachment material -   36. Optional fold or opening in the flexible inner materials 22 and     flexible outer materials 20 to accommodate egress of the wearer's     ponytails, pigtails or plaits -   38. Optional brim -   40. Name tag affixed to flexible inner material -   42. Reflector and/or glow-in-the-dark material comprising a portion     of flexible outer material -   44. Optional Dome shaped bumps consisting of impact absorbing     material on all or some of hat's impact absorbing material 24. -   46. Optional attachments connecting of flexible impact material 24     to flexible outer material 20 and/or the flexible inner material 22. -   48. Optional layer of a network of flexible air cells optionally     connected via flexible tubes. This layer can either be placed on top     of the impact absorbing material 24 as an additional layer, or     instead of the impact absorbing material 24. -   50. Optional flexible tubes connecting air cells. -   52. Chin strap with “V shaped” connectivity to flexible outer     material 20, supporting hat stability on wearers head. -   54. Optional ridges and channels as part of the impact-absorbing     materials. -   56. Layer of external impact absorbing materials placed on the     outside of a hard-shell helmet to reduce angular acceleration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Protective headgear is provided, referred to herein below as hats, as opposed to helmets or other hardened headgear, may appear to the casual observer as a normal, even fashionable hat, with its impact absorbing elements hidden from casual observation. Protective hats should absorb the low energy impacts such as those incurred in falls during day-to-day activities and slow down gradually enough the head movement to reduce the impact of the brain against the inside of the skull, thereby reducing brain injury and incidentally some skull injury. Another necessary requirement of protective hats is that they remain fixed on the wearer's head, prior to and during a fall, and that attachment to the head should withstand the forces subjected to a person's head during such a fall. Protective hats are worn at different times in different meteorological circumstances such as hot and cold weather, rain, sunshine, light and dark and indoors. Protective hats preferably provide not just impact protection but also protection against some, or all of the preceding conditions. This may include measurable protection from ultra-violet light emanating from the sun. Today's environmental sensitivities require that the protective hat preferably not be disposable to prevent accumulation in waste landfill sites. They preferably are not be made from materials or do not engender use that can harm the environment

Hygiene

In some embodiments a hat is provided with some or all of its materials made with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal materials; some embodiments have ventilation holes and/or channels to allow excess heat and moisture to escape.

Concealment of Impact Protection and Comfort

Hats, protective or not, are also sought as fashion items. Those which purport to protect wearers from brain injury often contain some rigid layers or shells. This makes them obviously prophylactic to casual observers with the attached social stigma and exposure of the wearer to ridicule. Rigid layers limit the design possibilities and therefore the fashion value of the hat. Hats which have one or more hard plates are also less comfortable for the wearer. This in turn lowers their adoption rate and the amount of time they are worn by those who do adopt them and the amount of injuries they are able to prevent.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,923 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,881, both to Picotte; U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,350 to Mazzoccoli; U.S. Pat. No. 6,868,560 to Bostock; U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,818 to Lorenzi; U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,367 to March II; U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,376 to Carrington all describe a protective hat or headgear with padding that includes one or more rigid or solid outer pads, plates or shells or combinations thereof. This rigidity can make the hat less comfortable to wear and appear prophylactic in nature to the casual observer (with associated social stigma) and limit design flexibility.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,174 to Abraham describes a flexible head protection system, but it is a headband, does not cover the top part of the head and cannot be considered to be a hat. Likewise U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,715 to Gregg the third et al, describes two bands, one horizontal like a head sweatband, and a second one circling the entire head vertically. This too cannot be described as a hat but rather an obvious head protector.

Another factor not previously dealt with is concealment of the protective elements of the hat when not worn. A hat with exclusively soft padding concealed within the inner and outer layers of fabric of the hat will feel more natural to those who may handle the hat. In comparison, hats with solid or rigid pieces will be palpably different from a hat with only soft materials and therefore will look and feel obviously prophylactic with associated social stigma.

Materials

U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,923 to Picotte describes a protective hat with either open or closed foams, gels, liquids and gases, other polymer impact absorbing materials hidden in the pads of the hat. However, none of the materials mentioned can match the impact absorbing properties of materials comprised of so-called nanotechnology such as nano-particles, including but not limited to nano-tubes, nano-spheres or fullerenes. The absence of nanotechnology results in either one or more of the following conditions: either a heavier hat, or a more voluminous hat (with greater thermal load on the wearer), or a hat having less impact protection. Picotte describes protective padding of up to 4 inches in thickness, which makes the hat described therein heavier and obviously prophylactic in nature and more limited in design possibilities.

Environment

U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,419 to Williams indicates that their protective hat will be made of disposable materials such as those that diapers are made of. It can be argued that disposable products have since become recognized as very unfriendly to the environment in that they take up more space in waste disposal landfills and take so long to degrade. We provide a hat made of long-lasting materials that can be used for a long period of time and even passed down to others in keeping with the “re-use” tenet of environmental conservation.

Safety by Visibility to Others

Wearers of protective hats, or people who buy them for use by others, naturally seek to prevent all possible impact, not just mitigate their effects. Whether in low-lighting conditions, total darkness or normal lighting conditions, by making a hat more visible to others some impacts may be prevented. U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,319 to Shaver describes a helmet with reflective tape, but given the hard shell of the helmet described, cannot be considered to be a protective hat worn in daily use with it's protective elements hidden from the casual observer, nor can it meet the requirements of flexibility demanded to provide a comfortable solution to the wearer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,881, to Picotte, U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,376 to Carrington, U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,181 to Hirsch describe a protective hat or bandanna but provide no solution to the requirement for visibility by others. U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,923 to Picotte states an affixed or removable reflector material incorporated on the outer layer of the hat. This described hat requires a more complex and expensive production process, additionally leading to undesired weight of the product. We provide embodiments where some or all of the materials that make up the flexible outer layer itself should itself be made of either light-reflecting materials such as those used in phosphorescent and/or photo luminescent materials (glow-in-the-dark), avoiding the need to add more members to the hat assembly. The patents mentioned in this paragraph do not refer to any phosphorescent and/or photo luminescent materials (glow-in-the-dark).

Alternative embodiments provide Light Emitting Diodes in the outer layer of the hat to increase its visibility to others.

Attachment to the Head

U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,923 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,881, both to Picotte; U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,376 to Carrington; U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,515 to Turner et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,570 to Wu; U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,064 to Hamaguchi describe a protective hat for athletes fastened to the head with a chin-strap. Some wearers may find the chin-strap uncomfortable, restrictive or unfashionable. A chin-strap also presents the dangerous possibility that either it or the hat become caught in an object while the chin-strap is still around the wearer's neck, possibly causing skin abrasions, strangulation and even death. We propose a solution with a chinstrap designed to release from either end of the hat, or from itself if two ends of the chin-strap are connected together, when subjected to sufficient force to cause either abrasion to the skin or strangulation to the wearer. This release mechanism may be achieved by simply limiting the strength of the fastener used in the chin strap, whether it be hook and loop tape or the snaps or the stitching.

The inventors also hereby propose an alternative method of attachment in the form of an elastic material band, placed around all or part of the horizontal circumference of the hat, whether inside the hat or outside. Said elastic band having hook tape at one end and loop tape at the other so that, when pulled together and attached to each other, a specific desired tension is achieved to maintain the protective hat on the wearer's head. We propose embodiments where the hook and loop tape have distinctive markings at regular intervals along their length, allowing the wearer to adjust the tension of the elastic band to precise, pre-determined levels of tension sufficient to maintain the hat upon the wearer's head while subjected to the forces incurred during a trip or fall.

Allowance for Long Hair

Some people have long hair which they may wear in a pony-tail, pigtails, braids, plaits or other form of gathered hair. That is, all or some of the hair is gathered together in one or more bunches of hair. This can cause a problem for proper fitting of the hat. As these bunches of hair can be quite elaborate and time consuming to arrange, undoing them for the purpose of putting on a hat is not a desired option as it would be very inconvenient.

Wearers with long hair might choose not to wear protective hats and risk being exposed to the dangers of some brain injuries. Alternatively, wearers of protective hats who will wear them with their hair in said bunches may not be properly protected due to interference from the hair (e.g., the hat may fall off). We propose one or more special openings or other allowance, such as one or more extra folds with enough material to expand the shape of the hat enough to allow long, gathered hair, to pass through without disturbing the proper seating of the hat upon the wearer's head and continuing to provide proper impact protection. U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,319 to Shaver and U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,350 to Mazzoccoli describe openings suitable for a pony tail, but none for pigtails. In addition, they are both hard shell devices and cannot be considered a protective hat with protective elements hidden from view to the casual observer. U.S. Pat. No. D613,040 to Pearson describes a decorative design for a bucket hat with a flap for a ponytail, but provides no claim either for impact protection or for pigtails. U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,923 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,881, both to Picotte, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,376 to Carrington describe a protective hat but both have rigid or solid parts and neither have any provision for ponytails or pigtails.

Impact-Absorption Protection Specification

Apparently no references regarding protective headgear mention any specification or quantification as to what level of impact absorption constitutes real, effective protection and what specific level of impact absorption they will provide. For example, a number or formulae expressing reduction of force (g's) over time (milliseconds) for an average person of a certain age falling from a certain height. We propose a protective hat created to modulate the unique impacts experienced by specific head-sizes and weights, expressed as peak force (Gravities) over time (milliseconds). Level of impact absorption in the materials will be calibrated to age group and weight of the head of the wearer as per the latest bio-mechanical research on the subject.

Post Impact Angular Acceleration Reduction

U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,923 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,881, both to Picotte; U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,376 to Carrington; U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,515 to Turner et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,570 to Wu; U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,064 to Hamaguchi do not address reduction of post impact angular acceleration.

Margulies et al states in research entitled Biomechanics of the Toddler Head During Low-Height Falls: an Anthropomorphic Dummy Analysis ¹, describes the possible detrimental effects of post impact angular acceleration; This issue has lately been researched and was found to be a critical element causing brain injury. ¹Neurosurg Pediatrics 6:000-000, 2010

Where other references either view (implicitly or explicitly) the skull shape as amorphous or round, some of the embodiments take into account the fact that the human skull is irregularly shaped with different curves, bumps and protrusions. The embodiments take into account this irregularity and are designed and calibrated specifically for the specifications required for the unique bio-mechanical requirements of the age of the wearer.

We propose a layout of protrusions in the impact-absorbing material, of different geometries, that would decrease post-impact angular acceleration and deceleration.² We propose three optional embodiments. ²http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2377024/

One optional embodiment to reduce post-impact angular acceleration would be to have a series of impact absorbing material protrusions shaped in a way to attenuate/slow post-impact angular acceleration. These protrusions might be shaped as bumps or channels and ridges, or cube shapes, or other 3D shapes either facing the wearer's head or away from it. The channels and ridges have an additional advantage, when placed facing the user, of providing heat and moisture loss to increase user comfort.

Another alternative embodiment would be to have the said protrusions composed of gas or liquid-filled cells, some or all of which will be connected to each other by a small tube, allowing the contents of one or more protrusions to empty into adjacent cells, at a rate pre-determined by the size of the opening of the connecting tubes. The result will be that cells at the site of impact itself will deflate, forcing their contents into adjacent cells causing them to simultaneously inflate, the effect being to stabilize the wearer's head and reduce post-impact angular acceleration.

A third optional embodiment is a hat where the impact absorbing material is thicker in certain places, thereby broadening or expanding the arc of the curves and reducing the “sharpness” of the bumps (for example, the occipital bun in the back of the head, or over the openings of the fontanels) and therefore the angular acceleration experienced by the wearer's head after impact.

3D shapes might be created by cutting and aligning different sized holes in layers of impact absorbing materials as a means of efficient manufacture.

The combination of both impact-absorbing materials and unique shapes designed to reduce angular acceleration and or deceleration, work jointly to provide overall, improved protection.

An alternative application relating to post-impact angular acceleration reduction, is to place a layer of materials or systems designed to reduce angular acceleration on the outside of a traditional hard-shell helmet. Commercially available hard shell helmets are subject to significant acceleration forces due to the hardness of the helmet. The shell does little to absorb impact and therefore there is a significant “bounce” or “rebound” in an opposing direction, which may also include angular acceleration, which causes so much brain injury. Placing the angular acceleration reduction system on the outside of a hard-shelled helmet (rather than the traditional placement inside the helmet) to reduce angular acceleration post impact and reduce brain injury in many cases.

Indicator of Possible Injury

Impact sensors indicate to user or observer if dangerous force was applied to the head while wearing the hat. This could be achieved with an LED connected to a pressure sensor or accelerometer, or it could be a plastic capsule or bladder filled with a natural, washable dye, that would burst and release the dye and temporarily stain the hat in an indicated zone when sufficient impact forces acted upon it. The zone would be indicated with a sticker or other indicator with text on it (such as “Impact Alert when Red”), and a hole or space in the middle where the stain would become apparent to the wearer or observer. In either method the sensors or capsules will be calibrated to activate when sufficient force for injury acts on the hat. They could be further calibrated to indicate whether a mild impact or a severe impact had been experienced by the wearer. The LED could shine orange (or other color) to indicate that an impact of enough severity should be a “cause for concern and observation” and shine red (or other color) if a severe impact has been experienced. In the capsule method, there might be two types of capsules, calibrated to burst when subject to impact forces of differing strength, filled with different color dyes to indicate the two states above.

An embodiment will have a visible alert (e.g., Light Emitting Diode), or chemically induced glow) around the entire circumference of the hat, so that observers may notice the injury from all angles improving chances of detection or lead to earlier detection of an injury.

An embodiment of this head-injury alert system will cause LED's to light up.

An embodiment of this head-injury alert system will provide auditory alerts.

An embodiment of this head-injury alert system will send an alert message over an information network.

The embodiments of this head-injury alert system, when combined, will provide improved safety to the wearer.

These indicators also have applications in hard-shell helmets and other protective gear.

Storage of Protective Hat

All the protective hats we have seen have hard shells or plates. They have no design for flexibility as such cannot be collapsed or flattened in a suitcase or other receptacle for storing clothing. This causes these protective headgear to take up more space than necessary and to be cumbersome. We propose a hat made of exclusively soft materials that is collapsible and therefore easier and more convenient to store and transport than headgear with solid or rigid materials.

Adoption by Users or Wearers

To make the hat more adoptable by kids, a selection of stick-on or snap-on characters, flowers, cute animals, different types of horns (like unicorn, rhino or devil horns), antennae or licensed characters (Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, etc.) are provided to personalize the hat and make it more fun and appealing. These snap-on characters themselves may be made of impact absorbing materials and provide additional protect and be “hidden in plain sight”

Location and Identification Ability

Sometimes the locating a lost or missing person such as a child is required. We propose an embodiment where small, thin, washable, flexible GPS device or wireless transmitter tags are placed within the lining of the hat. This may allow children to be located quickly, or to alert parents or caregivers if a child is leaving the premises of a home or day care or school unattended.

An improved hat providing impact protection to the wearer may be composed entirely of flexible materials. The materials may consist of a flexible outer layer, a flexible impact absorption layer, and a flexible inner lining. The impact absorption layer being hidden between the flexible outer layer and the flexible inner layer provide the advantages of a completely natural-looking and natural feeling protective head garment. Further advantage of said flexibility is the emphasis on brain-injury reduction rather than the emphasis on injuries to the skull. Flexibility lends further advantage providing the ability to become compact requiring less place for storage and transportation. Yet further advantage of the proposed protective hat being made of completely flexible materials is its ability to collapse for more compact storage and transportation.

The flexible inner material, being made with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal materials, prevent or retard the proliferation/formation of bacteria and fungi on the hat and thereby prevent unwanted odors and undesired skin reactions, such as allergies, in the wearer.

Means of attachment of the protective hat may be an elastic material band, placed inside the hat or inside a sleeve in the hat or on the outside of the hat and wrapped once around the horizontal circumference of the wearer's head. Said elastic material bands, having attachment ends of hook and loop tape, snaps, pins and holes or other attachments, are marked at precise intervals at the said attachment ends as to indicate to the wearer a precise tension. The advantage of such a means of attachment is such that it not be too loosely attached to the wearer's head to fall off during a trip or fall and not too tightly attached to cause abrasions or restriction of blood flow, headaches, etc. Further advantage of this invention with said attachment method is that it provides an alternative to hats with chinstrap attachments which may be unsightly or uncomfortable in the eyes of the user or even dangerous by posing a potential for skin abrasion and strangulation. The embodiment of the hat with a chin-strap may be designed to allow the chin-strap to disengage from the hat or otherwise, when subject to forces strong enough to cause abrasion or strangulation, thereby preventing abrasion or strangulation by the wearer.

The protective hat may have an option for either one or more folds or openings in the materials to accommodate for the wearer's ponytails, pigtails or plaits, the advantage being that people with hair arranged in said fashion will be able to avail themselves of the protection afforded by a protective hat.

For comfort, the protective hat may have ventilation holes and channels in the materials to allow excess heat and moisture to escape, as well as feature a moisture-wicking polyester (or similar material may will have the option of the flexible impact protection layer being composed of impact absorbing nanomaterials, such as nano-tubes or spheres also known as fullerenes, whether tungsten, carbon or silicon based, or any other nanomaterials or nanotechnology based on other elements, none of which has been described before.

It should be noted that while the drawings also show a standard “bucket” style hat, all possible styles of hats or head-wear are applicable, regardless of the name or configuration, whether being existing designs at the time of writing or not.

The protective hat may have reflective materials or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to increase visibility especially in low-light conditions. It may also have impact indicators whether by LEDs attached to pressure sensors or accelerometers, or by closed cells containing natural, washable dyes, which are calibrated to burst when subject to sufficient force to cause concern for brain injury.

The protective hat may not only protect the wearer against injury due to impact, but also mitigate the angular acceleration or deceleration which results from the impact which can cause additional injury. This mitigation is achieved through the geometric shaping of the impact absorbing materials or through a series of attached liquid or gas-filled cells which deflate at the site of impact and inflate adjacent to the site of impact, thereby stabilizing the head from angular acceleration.

The protective hat may feature optional washable, flexible wireless or GPS transmitting tags for location and identification of the wearer; stickers and badges (2D and 3D) to make the hat more customized and adoptable; The hat may be sold to kids with a grown-up equivalent so that parents will have one and kids will want to emulate their parents; it may feature optional flotation devices to prevent loss of the hat in water.

FIG. 1 is a side view (elevation) of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments, showing the flexible outer fabric 20, the flexible inner fabric 22 and the flexible impact protection material 24 placed between them. One fastening end 30 of the elastic attachment material 28 circumferentially mounted within optional sleeve 26, is shown protruding through the opening 34 in the flexible outer material 20 to accommodate access by the wearer to the elastic attachment material. Attachment tension calibration guides 32 are shown on fastening end 30 of the elastic attachment material 28. All or some of the flexible outer fabric 20 of the hat may optionally be comprised of a reflective and/or glow-in-the dark and/or phosphorescent material.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top view (plan view) of the protective hat crown in accordance with some embodiments. An optional brim 38 made of the flexible outer layer, impact absorbing material 24 enclosed between flexible inner material 22 and flexible outer material 20, fastening strap 28 enclosed on the inner side of the optional fabric sleeve 26. Said sleeve may be composed of any type or combination of materials, including but not limited to, cotton, nylon, polyester, spandex, lycra, or other. Opening in flexible outer material 34, through which one fastening end 30 of the elastic attachment material is shown. Numerous optional attachment locations 46 of padded material 24 to fabric sleeve and/or hat crown may be provided.

FIG. 3. is a vertical cross sectional view at the mid-line of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments. Flexible outer fabric 20 and flexible inner fabric 22 comprise a space within which the padded material 24 is enclosed. In this embodiment of the invention, the impact absorbing material 24 surrounds the wearer's head on the horizontal plane, from the forehead to the occipital region of the head, without covering the entire crown (top of the wearer's head). The padded material may optionally extend to cover the wearer's crown (top of head). Optional elastic attachment strap 28 circumferentially mounted within an optional sleeve 26 for said elastic material attachment strap 28.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view (plan view) of the protective hat crown in accordance with some embodiments as in FIG. 2 above, showing an optional opening or fold 36, or multiple openings or folds (not shown) to accommodate wearers with pony-tails, pigtails, plaits, braids or other form of long hair. This opening allows long hair to pass through from the inside to the outside of the hat which in turn ensures the hat is comfortable for the wearer and will remain stable and firmly attached to the wearer's head in case of a trip or fall. Not shown are optional elastic material attachment strap and related parts thereof.

FIG. 5. is a perspective view of the user's back side of the hat in accordance with one embodiment. Flexible outer material 20 enclosing optional one (or more) openings for pony-tails, pigtails or plaits 36, optional elastic material attachment strap 28 with velcro fasteners at the respective ends, or alternatively snaps 30, tension calibration guides 32 enclosed within an optional sleeve for elastic material attachment strap 26, emerging from opening in flexible outer material 34. Brim portion of hat 38.

FIG. 6. is a vertical cross sectional view at the mid-line of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments. Flexible outer fabric 20 and flexible inner material 22 comprise a sleeve, the flexible impact absorbing material 24 is enclosed therein, covering and protecting the whole of the hat's crown portion. An alternative embodiment would be to have strips of impact absorbing materials 24, thus reducing expense, thermal heat load on the wearer, and weight of the hat. Optional elastic material attachment strap 28 is enclosed within an optional sleeve 26 for the elastic material attachment strap 28. Members 30-34 are shown, as in FIG. 1. Optionally the hat further comprises brim 38.

FIG. 7. is a side view of the protective hat in accordance with an alternative embodiment as seen from the wearer's right side. Flexible outer fabric 20, all or some of fabric 20 comprises a reflective and/or glow-in-the-dark fabric/material 42. The comprises a brim 38. For clarity the elastic attachment material and related sleeve, etc, are not shown.

FIG. 8. Shows an inside view of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments. Inner fabric 22 of the vertical crown portion of the hat, includes a name tag 40 affixed therein to the vertical portion of the hat's crown portion upon which the wearer's name and/or telephone number and/or email can be placed to facilitate identification and retrieval of the protective hat if lost. Brim portion of the hat 38.

FIG. 9. a front view of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments. Flexible outer fabric 20, comprising of a reflective and/or glow-in-the-dark fabric/material 42. Though seen here on the front side, the reflective and/or glow-in-the-dark fabric/material 42, can be positioned as any portion of the flexible outer material. Brim 38.

FIG. 10. a rear view of one embodiment of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments. Flexible outer fabric 20, comprising of a reflective and/or glow-in-the-dark fabric/material 42. Brim 38. Dome-shaped and/or cone-shaped, and/or triangularly-shaped or otherwise shaped bumps or protrusions 44, in any possible combination, consisting of impact absorbing material, mounted on either the side of flexible outer fabric 20 facing the impact absorbing material 24 or the flexible inner material 22, or placed on the outside surface of flexible outer layer 20. Such anti-angular acceleration protrusions 44 can be strategically placed in a variety of configurations and placement patterns on the hat according to this invention in order to reduce angular acceleration of the head after initial impact in the case of a trip or fall, and further reduce injury to the wearer.

FIG. 11. A side view of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments. Flexible outer fabric 20, comprising of a reflective and/or glow-in-the-dark fabric/material. Brim 38. Dome shaped bumps and/or cone-shaped, and/or triangularly-shaped or otherwise shaped bumps or protrusions of padded material 44 on rear side of protective hat's padded material.

FIG. 12. a rear view of one embodiment of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments. Flexible outer fabric 20, comprising of a reflective and/or glow-in-the-dark fabric/material 42. Brim 38.

A network of gas filled cells 48, in which each gas filled cell is connected via a connecting tube 50 to all or some of adjacent air cells, thus comprising a network of gas filled cells. Each gas filled cell is made of flexible material allowing it to inflate/deflate in response to pressures. The connecting tubes allow the flow of gas from one cell to another. In one optional embodiment, the gas filled cells network can be affixed on top the impact absorbing material 24. In an alternative embodiment the gas filled cells network excludes the impact absorbing material 24.

Upon impact, the impacted area will hold a greater gas pressure, the gas will flow through the tubes, according to the localized pressures so the gas filled cells of the adjacent area to the impacted area will inflate.

Such a network can help to stabilize the wearers head after the initial impact, by creating a concave surface, thus reducing angular acceleration of the head in the case of a trip or fall, and further reduce injury to the wearer.

FIG. 13. a side view of one embodiment of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments. Flexible outer fabric 20, comprising of a reflective and/or glow-in-the-dark fabric/material 42. Brim 38.

As in FIG. 12, a network of gas filled cells 48, in which each gas filled cell is connected via a connecting tube 50 to all or some of adjacent air cells, thus comprising a network of gas filled cells. Each gas filled cell is made of flexible material allowing it to inflate/deflate in response to pressures. The connecting tubes 50 allow the flow of gas from one cell to another. In one optional embodiment, the gas filled cells network can be affixed on top the impact absorbing material 24. In an alternative embodiment the gas filled network of cells precludes the impact absorbing material 24.

FIG. 14. a side view (elevation) of the protective hat in accordance with some embodiments, as seen on FIG. 1; Additionally depicting comfortable chin strap with “V shaped” connectivity 52 to flexible outer material 20, supporting both hat stability on wearers head and maximizing comfort by avoiding connecting straps running over the wearers ears.

FIG. 15. A longitudinal cross section view of the concealed protective layer in accordance with some embodiments. A cog-Wheel like longitudinal cross section pattern of the impact absorbing material designed to reduce angular acceleration and allow adequate ventilation; Depicting ventilation holes and channels 54.

FIG. 16. a side view of a protective helmet, augmented by external angular rotation mitigation system for reducing angular rotation as seen on FIG. 16; Depicting outer strips of impact absorbing materials to further reduce angular rotation and acceleration

Operation

In operation, one uses the hat in the normal way by placing it on the head with flexible inner material 22 facing the wearer's head. The flexible impact absorbing material will protect the user's brain from impact injury and said material being hidden from casual observance, will cause the hat to appear to be ordinary fashion apparel.

The user may inscribe a name and or phone number and/or email address to identify him/herself as the owner on the name tag affixed to flexible material 22.

The wearer may obtain the optimal tension of the optional elastic attachment material 28 by pulling on its hook and loop tape ends 30, and using the attachment tension calibration guides 32 to determine the proper tension needed to maintain the hat on the wearer's head in the case of a trip or fall. This need be done only one time, either by someone other than the wearer such as a parent or caregiver, or by the wearer, by placing the hat on with the rear part facing the front, adjusting the tension of the elastic attachment material 28 as above, while viewing the attachment calibration guides in a mirror and using them to obtain the optimal tension. Once complete, the hat may be turned 180 degrees on the horizontal plane (x axis) so that the rear end of the hat is facing the rear of the wearer, on the occiput.

Optional dome-shaped bumps 44 act as an obstacle to post-impact angular acceleration in the event the wearer trips or falls.

The user having long hair may place their hair through the optional opening(s) or fold(s) 36. This ensures that:

(1) long hair is not an impediment to adoption of this protective hat and its health benefits giving this feature a preventive benefit. (2) the protective hat remains stable on the user's head and the tensioning apparatus consisting of items 28-32 above may function as desired in accordance with this invention, allowing the hat to withstand the forces of a trip or fall and remain on the wearer's head. (3) the hat is comfortable for the user with long hair

Whether worn at night or during the day the reflective and/or fluorescence material that comprises all or part of the flexible outer layer 20 will ensure that others will see the wearer from a greater distance or sooner than normal, giving others an opportunity to avoid collisions or impacts with the wearer.

Optional attachments connecting of flexible impact material 24 to flexible outer material 20 and/or the flexible inner material 22. This ensures that the impact absorbing material remains in place in order to provide optimal impact absorption and protect the wearer from brain injury.

A protective head garment or more specifically a protective hat is provided with the purpose of protecting the wearer from brain injuries due to impacts and due to post-impact angular acceleration/deceleration whose prophylactic nature is not apparent to casual observers and whose construction allows greater flexibility in design over previous art.

Said protective hat having a flexible outer fabric layer.

A flexible inner fabric lining facing the wearer's head when worn.

A flexible, soft impact absorbing material placed in between the outer layer and the inner fabric lining.

Said impact absorbing material contains nanomaterials such as nanotubes, nanospheres or fullerenes.

Some or all of the material of said outer shell may be made from highly light-reflective or glow-in-the-dark materials.

A method is provided for impact absorbing material to be placed as a hatband around the horizontal outer circumference of the said outer flexible layer or incorporated into and as part of said outer flexible fabric layer.

A method is provided of attaching to the wearer's head by means of one or more elastic fabric bands placed inside the hat or outside the hat or embedded in a sleeve placed between the said flexible inner and said outer flexible fabric layer where the ends of said band are hook and loop tape or other suitable fastener.

Said ends of the elastic fabric bands with hook and loop tape may have regularly spaced markings visible to the wearer and said markings having distinct tactile qualities in contrast to the elastic fabric band allowing the wearer to adjust the hat to predetermined tensions without having to see the band. This feature of the elastic attachment material can be applied to attachments of other types of garments, clothing, protective clothing, or other applications where hook and loop tape or other continuous overlapping attachments similar to hook and loop tape are used.

A method for attachment of the hat to the head may include adjusting the ends of said hook and loop tape according to the circumference of the wearer's head and being able to stretch the said elastic fabric by amounts measured by said visible markings and achieving sufficient tension in the elastic to ensure the wearer that the hat will remain on the wearer's head in the event of a trip or fall such as those incurred in normal non-athletic wear.

In some embodiments the protective hat is fastened with a chin-strap and where tensile strength of the bond in the fastener used, such as hook and loop tape or snaps. The hook and loop tape or snap connection is specified not to exceed a certain strength and to release in response to a given force and prevent abrasion or strangulation.

According to one aspect, a hat or bandanna of soft pliable materials is provided, featuring hidden impact-protection and angular acceleration/deceleration mitigation, appearing like a normal garment for the head, have openings for gathered hair such as pony-tails, highly-visible/reflective outer material, anti-bacterial/anti-fungal materials, optional thermal insulation and rain-proof materials, calibrated tensioned elastic material for maintaining the precise tension required to ensure the hat remains on the wearer's head during a trip or fall. An alternative embodiment of the invention also features impact absorbing protrusions to prevent angular acceleration/deceleration due to impact. The impact protection provided is designed to suit the bio-mechanical requirements of the various ages of the wearer.

Protection from Liquids

Wearers of protective hats also require occasional protection from the rain, snow or other liquids. We propose variant embodiments or waterproof materials, such as flexible vinyl or rubber or latex or that marketed by Goretex or some other suitable material for the purpose. 

1. A protective headgear with the purpose of protecting the wearer from brain and skull injuries due to impacts and due to post-impact angular acceleration/deceleration whose prophylactic nature is not apparent to casual observers and whose construction allows greater flexibility in design over previous art. Said protective hat having a flexible outer fabric layer. A flexible inner fabric lining facing the wearer's head when worn. A flexible, soft impact absorbing material placed in between the outer layer and the inner fabric lining.
 2. An embodiment of the headgear in claim 1 where said impact absorbing material in claim 1 may contain nano-materials such as nano-tubes, nano-spheres or fullerenes.
 3. Where the impact absorbing layer of the headgear in claim 1 is shaped with various bumps, cones, or cells to mitigate angular acceleration/deceleration.
 4. Where the impact absorbing layer of the headgear in claim 1 is a network of gas or liquid or gel-filled cells, interconnected with tubes whose internal diameter regulates the flow of gas, liquid or gel from one cell to the next, allowing gas, liquid, or gel to flow from the site of impact to the surrounding/adjacent cells thereby inflating same cells to cradle or stabilize the wearer's head in order to mitigate angular acceleration/deceleration.
 5. Where some or all of the material of said outer shell in claim 1 is made from highly light reflective or glow-in-the-dark materials.
 6. An alternative embodiment of the head garment in claim 1 where said impact absorbing material in claim 1 may be placed as a hatband around the horizontal outer circumference of the said outer flexible layer or incorporated into and as part of said outer flexible fabric layer.
 7. An alternative embodiment headgear in claim 1 has a method of attaching to the wearer's head by means of one or more elastic fabric bands placed inside the hat or outside the hat or embedded in a sleeve placed between the said flexible inner and said outer flexible fabric layer where the ends of said band are hook and loop tape or other suitable fastener.
 8. Where said ends of the elastic fabric bands with hook and loop tape in claim 7 have regularly spaced markings visible to the wearer and said markings having distinct tactile qualities in contrast to the elastic fabric band allowing the wearer to adjust the hat to predetermined tensions without having to see the band. This feature of the elastic attachment material can be applied to attachments of other types of garments, clothing, protective clothing, or other applications where hook and loop tape or other continuous overlapping attachments similar to hook and loop tape are used.
 9. Whereby the method for attachment of the hat to the head in claim 8 the wearer adjusts the ends of said hook and loop tape according to the circumference of the wearer's head and is able to stretch the said elastic fabric by amounts measured by said visible markings and achieving sufficient tension in the elastic to ensure the wearer that the hat will remain on the wearer's head in the event of a trip or fall such as those incurred in normal non-athletic wear.
 10. An embodiment of the headgear in claim 1 where the headgear is fastened to the wearer's head with a chin-strap and where tensile strength of the bond in the fastener used, such as hook and loop tape or snaps, is specified not to exceed a certain strength and to release in response to a given force and prevent abrasion or strangulation to the wearer.
 11. An embodiment of the headgear in claim 1 with a selection of stick-on or snap-on characters, flowers, cute animals, are provided. Said snap-on characters themselves may be made of impact absorbing materials and provide additional protection.
 12. An embodiment of the headgear in claim 1 where LED's or pressure sensitive capsules or liquid-filled bands in or on the surface of the headgear react to forces sufficient to cause injury to the wearer, by providing visual, audio, or electronic cues.
 13. An embodiment of the headgear in claim 1 where the impact absorbing material is suited and designed to the specific bio-mechanical properties of the age of the wearer. 